In today’s fast-paced, planning-for-college-from-birth, let’s-make-our-kids-well-rounded world, is it even possible to be TOO active? Yes it is.
What is childhood really about? Is it about learning a language, achieving the perfect violin concerto, or playing goalie for a traveling soccer team? Or should it be about playing with the neighborhood kids learning how to naturally form teams, compromise on what game to play, and staying out until mom calls you into dinner?
I don’t know about you, but some of my best childhood memories are playing “ghosts in the graveyard” (aka hide-n-seek at night) until it felt like midnight outside (of course it was probably 9pm or 10pm but it felt pretty late) and playing a pick up H-O-R-S-E games at the neighborhood basketball goal and jumping on the neighbors trampoline for hours and riding our bikes all around town talking and laughing and practicing riding with no hands.
Do today’s children have these memories? Do we, as parents, have a responsibility not to just make sure they have the best education and well-rounded exposure to extra-curricular activities or do we have the responsibility to ensure they have a childhood? If we don’t protect our kids childhood, who will?
I’ll admit, I’m just as caught up on making sure my kids can read music, play an instrument, play a sport, and swim but recently we decided as a family that we needed to take a step back and make sure we were leaving plenty of time for just plain old play time.
So why do we put our children in so many extracurricular activities? Usually it’s because we want the best for our children. We want them to learn skills, develop confidence, and find at what they excel. However, there are ways to better do this than stressing out and overextending our kids.
Overscheduled children can become stressed and even resentful. They complete their school and then head to the car to be carted to this lesson and that practice. They leave their neighborhood staring out the car window at their friends riding bikes, building snow forts, or climbing trees. How excited do they remain for that lesson or practice?
It’s one thing to have something once or twice a week but when the child never has a free day, unscheduled time, to explore their thoughts, their interests, and just figure out who they are on their own, how will they ever know how to fill their unscheduled times as an adult?
Is there anything wrong with lots of activities? Well, that’s up to the individual parents and families; there are certainly children that still succeed with such overextended schedules. However, finding the right balance for your children to learn skills and develop talents as well as have time to rest, read, and play is equally important.
What’s the right number of activities to choose for your children so they are not overextend? This differs from child to child or family to family. Only you know what is best for your family and your children. Just be flexible, listen to their desires and, if they decide that they want to try something new, be open minded but sit down and talk to them about whether they want to do it in addition to what they are doing or maybe in replacement of something for a while. You may find your child is trying to tell you he or she is ready to abandon a previous love and move on to a new interest.
Being open minded to your child’s interest is important but, as the parent, it is your job to help them understand their choices and help them make the best choices for them as well as reminding them, and even sometimes making them, take some time to just go outside and play. They may be shocked at how relaxing and wonderful it is for them to not have anywhere to be to do anything in particular. Just play and have fun – that is what childhood should be about.
Do you think it’s important to limit your child’s extracurricular activities?
Melissa says
What may be too many activities for one child, may be completely overwhelming to another. Isn’t the key really in finding that balance, where the child is learning and having fun, while it is still affordable and not making Mom crazy running from place to place? I have 2 girls who are both Girl Scouts. My oldest is also in band, archery and 4-H cooking classes. She is 12, in the 6th grade, and even with those activities, she has plenty of free time. My 7 year old also has Speech classes that we go to once per week. We used to go it 3x a week, which was incredibly stressful and time consuming; we were never home, and there was no time or energy to do much else. Now that we have cut back, my little one is begging me to do soccer. I am considering it, but I have to think about how time consuming practices and games will be. I know me being frazzled from running from one place to the next does nobody any good. Really I think that it should be a choice for each family. What works for ours may not work for others, and what works for yours, may not be best for mine. For my family, I think it is important to put a limit on activities, if not for any other of the many reasons, for my sanity!
Tawnee says
I think you are exactly right – every child and family is different. We toned down our extras and I still have people think we are overextended but we are in a good place for us and for our kids. Funny. Obviously for some, our life is too busy but for us it works. I’m sure for some your schedule seems crazy. It’s definately about finding what works for each child and family. Thanks for commenting.
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Audrey says
With soon to be 7 children, the extra activities in our home have to be limited! But knowing where to draw the line can be tricky sometimes!
Tawnee says
Yes that line can certainly be tricky sometimes. Thanks for commenting.
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Joleen Tawfik says
I appreciate your views on this matter. My daughter is an overly active little one with ASD and she is exhausting. Sun up to sun down normally no naps either. I enjoyed seeing other aspects from it.
Tawnee says
Now THAT is my 4 year old son – he NEVER stops moving. We have tried swim lessons and gymnastics to try and expend energy but really its just one more thing and the energy is NOT expended. Thanks for stopping by.
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Emma says
I do think it’s important for children to have lots of free time. I believe they won’t learn to entertain themselves if they never have to. Sometimes being bored can be a good thing!
Tawnee says
Isn’t that true? I chuckled whenever I heard “mommy I’m bored” because I know in a minute good, fun, kid things will start happening. Thanks for stopping by.
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Domestic Imp says
I absolutely believe too many children are overscheduled. Not only does it cut into free imaginative play, but I also believe it negatively impacts both family relationships, and can also impact the parents’ marriage.
If dh is off running Sue, and dw is off running John, when do they have time together? Certainly not around the supper table, as that’s usually the ‘witching’ hour for extra curricular activities.
I think home time is essential for everyone. Knowing that there’s nowhere anyone has to go, be, or do is needed imo.
Tawnee says
I totally agree. It always frustrates me when activites are scheduled during dinner time. I think having a family dinner is very important. And you are right, if everyone is running in different directions, when are the family relationships built and that can definately take a toll ona marriage. We should certainly strive for a balanced life. Thanks for stopping by.
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Julie says
I remember those same days growing up, except the trampoline. We had a field of kudzu beside our house that we hid in. Kids these days are not learning the basics of learning outdoors. Our family loves to walk the woods.
#BB100
Julie
I Create Purty Thangs
Tawnee says
Yes, more time as a family walking, playing, and learning is important. Thanks for stopping by.
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Yuliya says
What a well written post! I really agree with you that children can be over extended, especially with the amount of activities that parents try to cram into their schedules. I moved to the Netherlands, and the educational system here is completely different than public schools in the US. Children don’t tend to have any homework until they are around 8 or 9 (little assignments), and as my Dutch husband says, ‘they begin to get homework in a structural sense at 12’. Most kids do not have more than 1 extra curricular activity, many have none. Those extra activities are purely for fun and tend to be sports like gymnastics or soccer.
That being said, the educational system is pretty intense. People here have sponge like brains or something because they are required to learn multiple languages at school and pretty much everyone I have ever met here speaks English fluently (along with German and French. Isn’t that crazy?).
Soooo… my very long point is, even if children are allowed to be children and play, they can still learn a lot of skills/languages without being bombarded/overwhelmed by it.
Tawnee says
I totally agree with you. We cram a LOT into our school days but once the day is over I love for my kids to have time to be kids. I think sometimes there are a lot of other reasons parents push their kids to do more and sometimes its the kids thinking they want to do all the fun things they hear about from others but once they get into them they realize that they don’t REALLY want to do everything. Thanks for stopping by.
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Ruth Hill says
My daughter is 10, and when we first began extra activities, I was a single mother working a full-time job. I knew we had to limit due to finances and time. And we have continued that. When I was growing up, I only was in one extra activity, and so is my daughter. She is a swimmer, and she sometimes talks about dong basketball. We always tell her that she would take a break from swimming if she wanted to play basketball. She actually does choir, too, but those two activities seem to work in her schedule. I don’t know how kids “do it all.” I never did, and my daughter won’t either.
Stopping by from Boost Your Blog.
Tawnee says
We do the same thing, give our kids the option to try something else when they mention it, but usually our oldest sticks with her swimming as well. Thanks for stopping by.
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Sabrina says
Tawnee,
You are so right. We all want the best for our kids, but we all need to learn the word BALANCE. I have friends who are overextenders and when I ask them why they make it seem like life will end if their kids drop
something. I want my kids to do well too, but when the plate gets full we’ll stop eating so to speak.
Tawnee says
So true.we need to know when we are overextended and the kids are overextended and then stop filling the schedule. Thanks for stopping by.
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Tamara Wilson says
We totally balance everything out while it is scheduled ‘free time’ but I do think that kids need to have the opportunity to be kids and run around and come home covered in dirt or something. There are days I make them go and just be kids outside. I think it is super important for their growth
Tawnee says
I totally agree. There are some days where I feel like I have to MAKE them go outside but once they are out there they are in the trees and the dirt and everything else and have to be dragged back in for dinner. It’s great! Thanks for stopping by.
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DeDe says
Yes, we give our kids way too many activities. It is OK to stay home and be still and just do nothing or have a family night. We program our kids to be at full speed at all times.
Tawnee says
I definiately think today there is a lot of pressure for too much too soon. Thanks for stopping by.
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Val says
I think downtime is very important. If they don’t learn the value of fun, play and how to step away from stress when they are young, I don’t think they will be able to figure it out as an adult. I believe in a balanced life so it’s more enjoyable.
Tawnee says
I agree. It is important to figure out how to destress early. We are definiately happier with a more balanced life. Thanks for stopping by.
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Merri Dennis says
Neither one of my boys are into sports, so too many activities has not been much of a problem. But I still feel like we just drive all day instead of schooling. It is something to thoughtfully consider.
I’m stopping by from the 100 Days Challenge and am glad to have found your blog.
Tawnee says
Thanks for stopping by. I know what you mean about driving around. I have had to make a concerted effort to keep our errand running etc down to certain times so we are home more and it has been very freeing. But it takes planning and work for sure.
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Kimberly B says
I totally agree with you. I don’t think some parents realize the pressure they are putting on their children to excel in everything. I think it’s wonderful that they do something they enjoy but I do think that there should be time for good, old-fashioned play as well.
Tawnee says
Yep – we are trying to put a little more emphasis on that and less on worrying about all the extras. Thanks for stopping by.
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Beth says
I agree – kids can be too active. I have three children, and we have activities every evening for someone. It’s mostly my girls at this point, and my little guy tags along for gymnastics because I don’t have another time slot to have him try anything else! Each child isn’t doing a ton, but it adds up to a lot of time spent away from home, which I don’t love. We try to keep things at a reasonable level, and I think we succeed for the most part, but it’s certainly a balancing act.
Unfortunately, in our neighborhood, we are the only homeschoolers, and we don’t see kids outside playing much. It makes me sad.
Tawnee says
We are the same way. We are the only homeschoolers so the only kids playing are a few that come out between 4-6p which is when swimming or dance or gymnastics takes place. My daughter is sometimes torn between wanting to go to her sports or lessons and wanting to play with the neighbhorhood kids. It sure would be nice to have other homeschool kids around for sure. Thanks for stopping by.
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Mommy Battles says
Listening to your child’s desires is the most important thing. I think 1 or 2 extracurricular activities are enough for your child to actually enjoy them without the stress.
Visiting from the BYB challenge
Tawnee says
I totally agree. Listening to what they want is so very important. Thanks for stopping by.
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TaMara says
It is definitely important to me that my small people get to experience more of their childhood than just going from activity to activity. We DO have very busy afternoons and evenings with soccer and ballet, but we made a decision that each child could choose only 1 extracurricular activity. They each have practices or rehearsals 2 or 3 afternoons a week, but that still allows them a couple of afternoons to just hang out and be a kid.
Tawnee says
That’s pretty much what we decided and I think everyone is happier now. THanks for stopping by.
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Amy says
Recently, a friend told me that if she didn’t take her three-year-old to all her extra-curricular activities that her daughter would drive her crazy. I was saddened by that. Maybe parents keep their kids busy for selfish reasons, too.
Jasmine says
I think for me the issue is living in a cramped huge city with no room to run around and play – not to mention the fear of sending my kids out when there are so many people around who can just snatch them away!
I grew up in a city and we had no backyards to play in. We had to be in before dark and of course, there was always schoolwork to be done.
I’m thankfully to have had the opportunity to move 1800 miles away to a new safer residential community where my kids can go out and play (when they’re older – they are 0-3 yrs old now!) and take in the sunshine I never took in.
Not to mention that I’m homeschooling my kids.
So, what you’re describing is what I’m striving for! Thanks for articulating it in this post!
Tawnee says
I agree. There is something to be said about making sure there is a safe place for them to play. Thanks for stopping by.
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Bernadette says
I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment that it really depends on the individual kid and family. I was in a relationship with a guy that had a daughter that was super scheduled. not in a lot of different things, she was an athlete (travel team this, semi-pro kiddie league that). While I was overwhelemed, in her case, those teams are where she developed lots of the great skills you talk about and it got her a ride to college and she’s a great kid. On the other hand, like you, I remember fondly lots of times playing in the neighborhood until dark and having space to just play in my grandmother’s garden and ride my bike. That said, was also a SUPER scheduled kid (especially once I hit high school) but it was by my choice of wanting to say yes to so many opportunities I didn’t have earlier in my life and never thought I would have again. All to say, I think it is a balance. Some kids will benefit from the parental push to reach their full potential and others will really shine when they get to taste/try on all their heart’s desire with the freedom to say nevermind. SO it’s not really about being too active so much as it is about being active for someone else’s sake (ie, a parent living through their child) vs being active for your heart’s desire. However you define “active.”
Tawnee says
Exactly – i was actually a few overscheduled child as well. I had something most nights of the week and squeezed homework into the bus ride home or the car to and from the activity. But i don’t have “regrets” per se but I do have the best memories of playing the the neighborhood with friends, not running from activity to activity. Thanks for stopping by.
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Lisa Nelson says
I’m a homeschooling Mom, and I just set the rules down. 1 activity per kid – period. They have to choose. If not, I would be running around like a crazy person and we would never have time for school. I’m doing neither, plus they don’t need it.
Yeah, kids are wayyy to oversheduled. Maybe that’s why they can’t sit at church on Sunday. Their adrenaline is just pumping – they can’t sit still. They HAVE to be doing something.
Sometimes, it’s just nice to sit back and relax. That’s what we do. We actually sit and talk with each other. Nice, eh? That’s one of the many advantages to not having an over scheduled life.
Thanks for this post, and for linking up with us at the blog challenge!
Tawnee says
I know. I love sitting and talking or playing a game with the kids. I find it interesting that I call my kids in for dinner and then we sit down and we’ll hear the other kids be called in for dinner about the same time and they are back at our door before we have finishing our dinner prayer. So much for having a nice dinner conversation with their parents…the neighbor kids always look at me like “what’s taking you so long” — wow! Thanks for stopping by.
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Holly says
I grew up in a family where having activities was pretty non-existent. I was not in any sports or clubs until 5th grade. Then after that it was really sporadic. The only time I truly became involved was when I was finally old enough to drive. At times I’m sad I didn’t learn to dance as a child. Other times I’m very thankful for the fun time I enjoyed just playing in the dirt and running around the neighborhood with my brother. #BYB100
Tawnee says
It is a toss up sometimes – learning something early on and having time to be a kid. My daughter does feel torn at times and that is with only a couple of extras that she has chosen. She wants them but sometimes she just wants to play and be a kid and we try to have a manageable schedule and a clear understanding of where she is and her needs to make sure we are helping her make the right choices and is happy. Thanks for stopping by.
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Tracy says
When I was growing up, my brother and I were safe playing in our yard. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about my children. I cannot just let them out to play without supervision.
With that said, we stay after school on good-weather days to play before heading home to work on homework. In the evenings, we will venture outside to play or take a walk.
In letting our kids be kids, we have not pressured them with activities. If they want to take a class or play a sport, we lay down the ground rules and choose seasons or lessons no more than 6 weeks long.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. You can’t do it all, so choices have to be made.
Tawnee says
That’s great that you are at least able to stay and play after school if you can’t in your neighborhood. And you are right, you can’t do it all. Thanks for sharing.
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Renae says
I agree that there is too much of shuffling kids about instead of giving them time to just be. I am in the process of reading Simplicity Parenting (I’m sure you’ve prob already read it- but if not you would most likely enjoy it). It states that over-scheduling can result in PTSD like symptoms. Less is sometimes more in cases like this. Great post!
Tawnee says
I have read Simplicity Parenting and it is a good read, I agree. I think the over-scheduling of kids is a problem and, for our family, we are doing the best to not contribute to the statistic. Thanks for stopping by.
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Melanie (Wren) says
Hi Tawnee!
It’s Melanie (Wren) from TOS Crew! When I clicked to your blog via the Commentathon link, I thought, “that sounds familiar!” So glad we ended up in the same group.
I love your thoughts here. Back until September 2012, our family was VERY involved and busy in a lot of cool activities…..but, as I said, a LOT. Suddenly I ended up in the hospital for emergency surgery late that month, with a second one at the end of the year. I have had a beautiful…..but VERY SLOW….recovery.
But the benefits for me and my family? Quite amazing. Our family relational and game time grew exponentially. We do a weekly homeschool coop, piano lessons and the occasional playdate, which is a dramatic change from before. And our son is so content and happy!
I expect we’ll do more outside the home at some point….but I guess we’re living proof that we don’t have to live our entire lives outside of our home!
Tawnee says
Thanks for coming by. Small (blog)world 🙂 Sorry to hear about your surgery, but glad to hear you recovered well. It’s nice to hear that the good came out of it though. Realizing that we can be at home and happy and not have to be out involved ALL THE TIME is definitely a valuable lesson.
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Cindy says
No children here yet, but I 100% agree. It’s easy to get bogged down in so many extracurricular activities that kids aren’t kids anymore.
Tawnee says
Very true. That’s exactly right – getting bogged down is definitely not the best for the kids. Thanks for stopping by.
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Heather McD says
We definitely limit our kids activities. We are a unit, a family, and we have to be able to spend time with each other and be there for each other. If I let all 3 kids do whatever they wanted then we would never have time together and I would be ready to pull my hair out!
Tawnee says
So true. When you have several kids, trying to go 2 and 3 activities for each would make everyone crazy. Thanks for stopping by.
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Corinna says
I think it is about following your child’s lead. What do they want to do? Then supporting them.
Tawnee says
True enough. Though my daughter feels like you she is lead a LOT of places sometimes 😉 But i agree, sometimes they aren’t lead where we THINK they should so listening to them is important. Thanks for stopping by.
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Lori says
My preschoolers usually love stay-at-home days so they can play. We live in the country, so it’s a 20-25 min drive to get to most activities, even church. So right now we let the kids do one activity outside church and cherish our nights at home together. One idea I read was to let a child have at most 3 extra-curricular activities at one time – one for their mind (ie music), one for their body (sport), and one for their spirit/social (church). I think we will try that guideline as our kids get older.
Tawnee says
I like that – one for the mind, one for the body and one for the spirit. Awesome! Thanks for sharing and for stopping by.
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MommyLES says
I have so many planned activities for my kids. At first, they were keen to accomplishing the activities that good ol’ mom has scheduled for them. However, as days passed by they began to lose interest. Lesson learned, I should ask my kids what truly interest them so they will not get bored in doing the activity.
Tawnee says
We finally figured that out too. Asking them what they want. However, my daughter wants everything so that is where the “helping her figure out her limits” comes in. Thanks for commenting and stopping by.
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Pamela says
It surprises me how many activities some children go to. At a preschool/early elementary age some children are doing swimming, ballet, skating, soccer, school (full or part time), other activities and then one off events like going to all the popular concerts and events that come to town. It seems like a lot to me.
Whatever I decide to do with my four year old twins, the most important goal is to get outside for one hour a day. It doesn’t always happen – but if it does I feel like we’ve met an important goal.
Tawnee says
We try for 30-60 minutes a day at least, even if its cold (but not too cold) and being cognizant of this is helpful to us all. Thanks for stopping by.
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April says
I absolutely agree – there is such a thing as too many activities. Extra curricular activities have caused the death of several friendships for both my friends and my children’s’ friends. Because the reality is, if you’re in multiple activities – you simply won’t have time for relationships outside those activities.
Tawnee says
Very true. If you are always running from here to there when can you have real friendship. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Jill says
It does depend on individual kids for this. My kids do a lot, but thrive on it as everything they do is a social experience for them with their friends. They also have time to just play and relax. So long as you find a balance and your children are happy, the number of activities is not the issue!
Tawnee says
Balance is definitely the key. And knowing your kids and what they can handle. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Julie says
I used to LOVE playing ghost in the graveyard!!! I’m not even sure if I remember how, but I’d love to teach my kids and resurrect it. Thanks for the great memory! I hope that my kids have memories like this… We have moved quite a bit in the past few years and are finally looking for a house to settle in permanently… One of my biggest hopes is that we find a neighborhood full of kids when my kids can develop friendships and memories!
Tawnee says
I remember singing “one o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock rock….” then strolling for friends hiding in the dark trying to get them before they got to base. My hubby played with the neighborhood kids this summer, Good times. Thanks for stopping by.
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Ces says
My daughter just started school last year, and so far, she’s enjoying her free time. She’s very active, though, which makes me wonder if I should enroll her in a class so she’d have something to spend her energy on. At times, I wonder if she gets bored just hanging out with her grandparents while my husband and I are at work. I think it would be good for her if she has something to keep her busy, but I’m worried that it might make her lose interest in extracurricular activities in the future.
Tawnee says
I did that a few years ago when my daughter was spending a lot of time with her grandparents and we were gone with the Navy for a while. We enrolled her in appropriate extracurricular activities to give her a chance to have something to do that expended energy and helped her development as well as giving her time with children her own age with which to play. You bring up a good point that sometimes you have to consider the whole circumstance to determine the best level of extracurricular involvement for your kids. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Christine Boulware says
I think having too many structured activities doesn’t leave room for kids to just play…so I think there should be a balance between structured stuff and good ole fashioned play ball or tag or hide and seek or whatever….
Tawnee says
Exactly – playing is just as important as learning all those skills. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Marty says
Yes – you have to find a balance of extracurricular activities that works best for you and your child. Personally, I wish my parents pushed me to try more things when I was younger.
Tawnee says
Funny you say that. I was into a few things early and then had to choose the most important and I did and have no regrets from what I chose, but there are definitely times when I wish I had had the opportunity or the inclination or the PUSH to try some other stuff, I think I have found as an adult that I would have enjoyed some of these other possibilities. Good point. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Leslie says
Absolutely! 5000 activities aren’t going to make them more well rounded just tired and unable to enjoy their limited time as children!
Tawnee says
So true – I know that i feel better when i have down time and am not overcommitted so, as a parent, it is my job to make sure my children get the time to recharge and have some downtime. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Marie says
I think kids are too overscheduled these days too. With four kids, we tend to limit our kids to one activity at a time. But even that adds up the more kids you have. They need the down time to read, explore, and be creative. Nice post!
Tawnee says
I know I need down time for me and therefore it is only logical that kids need some down time too, whether they realize it or not. We as parents have to provide this for them – the time to unwind and have some down time. Thanks for sharing and stopping by.
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Shelah says
Hi Tawnee! I think it is important to limit the kids extra curricular activities. My kids used to play sports but this year, because of their workload from school, we all decided to take a breather. We all have things that we want our children to learn or do or achieve, and I think it is wise to evaluate them once in a while. We have to set priorities and know our limits.
Thanks for an enlightening read!
Tawnee says
Limits and priorities are the key for sure. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Tawnee recently posted…Teaching Piano to Young Children – A KinderBach Review
Alyssa says
I don’t have kids yet, but I definitely think today’s kids are too active. I never had a schedule, or some many activities that I was a part of growing up. I just played outside with my sister and our friends, and just acted like, well, a kid. There’s enough scheduling, to-do list, and activities for when you get older!
Tawnee says
Exactly, we have the rest of our lives for all that scheduled craziness, i think we should just let them be kids some times. Thanks for stopping by.
Tawnee recently posted…Teaching Piano to Young Children – A KinderBach Review
Amanda E says
I agree wholeheartedly with you! Kids do needs down time. I believe it is vital for healthy living.
“It’s one thing to have something once or twice a week but when the child never has a free day, unscheduled time, to explore their thoughts, their interests, and just figure out who they are on their own, how will they ever know how to fill their unscheduled times as an adult?” Great point!
I was way to busy in my younger years… but even then, I was less busy than my peers. We have chosen to only do extracurricular activities that the whole family can be involved with. I so wish that we could do individual activities at times, but that takes away so much from us as a whole. We live in a very rural area and the nearest town is over 20 miles away. That said we have to pick and choose wisely. One day they may be able to do individual activities…. but with 4 children that day seems far away! lol
Tawnee says
I like what you said about having extracurriculars that the whole family can be a part of. We did that for a while and now we have individual activities and I must admit we got a lot out of the time together as a family. We need to get back to that. Excellent point. Thanks for sharing.
Tawnee recently posted…Teaching Piano to Young Children – A KinderBach Review
Aishah says
I agree with you wholeheartedly. My children are still very young but I do see kids that are overscheduled and their parents continue to push them because they want them to attend an ivy league university in the future.
The child is in elementary school. Let him/her breathe.
I do think it’s great to teach your kids things and encourage their involvement in sports. I’m against forcing kids into activities/sports/classes they aren’t interested in. I can see my 5 year old’s interests already and I love it and I encourage him and get books on the topic, pull up videos, and google pictures together. That’s how great minds are developed. My 2 cents 🙂
Tawnee says
I agree. It’s definitely a balance. Thanks for stopping by.
Tawnee recently posted…Teaching Piano to Young Children – A KinderBach Review